Perhaps the greatest hurler of them all, “The Big Train” Walter Johnson accumulated 417 wins, all of them for the Washington Senators in his celebrated 21-year career. Second only to Cy Young (511) in career victories, Johnson accomplished his feats in a decidedly different era and created the standards to which modern-day pitchers are still measured against. His 110 shutouts remain a Major League record. Of legendary gentlemanly stature, Johnson is considered among the games’ most esteemed statesmen.

Johnson’s best season came in 1913, his seventh in the Majors. The Senators ace accumulated a record of 36-7, with a league leading 1.14 ERA, 11 shutouts, and 243 strikeouts. He even chipped in from the opposite side of the plate, hitting two home runs with a .261 batting average and even stealing two bases. Johnson was awarded the 1913 American League MVP, and the brand new automobile that came with the award, for his troubles.

Postseason success eluded the Senators during Johnson’s spell with the team until 1924, when the 36-year-old Johnson turned in his best performance in years. His 23 wins led the American League, and he won the second American League MVP award of his career. The Senators finished 92-62, winning the pennant by a mere two games over the New York Yankees. They faced the New York Giants in the Fall Classic, in a series that would go the absolute distance. The final game, Game 7, took place at Griffith Park in Washington, and quickly devolved into a war of attrition. Game 7 went 12 innings, with who else but an overworked Johnson coming into the ballgame in the eighth inning to pitch. He went four strong innings, holding off a ferocious Giants attack to secure the first World Series title for the Senators. Johnson, who retired after the 1927 season, was one of the five inaugural members of the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Along with Babe Ruth, Ty Cobb, Honus Wagner, and Christy Mathewson, few are more worthy of the title “Hall of Famer” than “The Big Train”.

This offered, lightly toned and cream colored “Official League” baseball was signed by Johnson on its sweet spot in blue ball point and is one of the finest single-signed Walter Johnson baseballs ever offered. His signature is very bold, clear and presents beautifully. The ball has red and blue stitching and contains manufactures “No. 55 Horse Hide Cover” and “GUARANTEED FOR 27 INNINGS” stamps in black ink. Also stamped on the opposite sweet spot panel to Johnson’s signatures is “Official League” in Olde English font and on a side panel is an “ANCHOR BRAND REG U.S. PAT. OFF” stamp. This Walter Johnson single-signed baseball comes with a LOA from JSA.

Auction Notepad